Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-10-06
st. Louis Correspondent.
G. A. r.


your many readers will be greatly in
terested in the all-absorbing topic OF
city and nation. 1t is said that the rail-
roads brought 1873. 600 people into the
city. OF that number, probably one-half
were GA. r. boys. The city had made
wonderful provisions for their enter
tainment and pleasure. 100000 had
been raised by the city for this purpose.
To this sum all politics, religion, creeds
and nationalities contributed. The
men who thought and died" for the s.
G. A. did as nobly as any. Beside this
large fund. small bodies and associa-
tions of men raised an individual fund.
The city was profusely decorated with
bunting, flags, notices and Transparent
cies of costly character. Most of the
parks of the city were turned into mil
itary camps, and the sunrise saluted
with the booming cannon.
Tuesday was to have been the great
day of parade, in which it was thought
10000 men would have been in line.
But to the great disappointment of
soldiers and citizens it rained 4 Leavy
drizzle all day. The parade was post
poned until w, dnesday. Tuesday
night the Board of Trade hall: was
packed with g. A. Il. officers ADD men
and citizens, male and female.
The Mayor of the city made speech
Of welcome, which was loudly applaud
ed by all people, both citizens and
strangers, g. A. r. and 8. c. A. This
fine speech of Mayor Francis was re-
sponded to by Commander-in-Chief
Fairchilds in the same happy and ele-
quent amer in which the welcome
was given. The Commander-in-Ch
assured the people that the G. A. r.
had thu most kindly feeling for all the
friends of our com mon country. They
only fought in the late war because
they Lowell the country more than
those who rose against 1t. He said the
G.. A. r. had no bloody shirt" to
wave. The masses called for "Uncle
Billy" Guy. Oglesby was introduced
and made a fine speech. The cry was
then renewed for "Uncle Billy" "Old
Commander" Sherman, &C., &c.
The cry was so deafening that Gen.
Sherman had to surrender and come 10
the stand. His speech was like "Uncle
Billy, "-Gen. Shenandoah of sense,
good feeling and patriotism. Others
were called out till 1890, when the
vast audience left for home full of the
old enthusiasm of 1915.
Il was announced, however, that the
parable would occur on Wednesday A.
~, train or shine." IT did not shine
drained worse than the day before.
But the q. A. r. was out, and about
one-third I'm line. The rest on the
street, on sidewalks and in windows.
There were. probably, 1880 in line.
with banner, fife and drum. The en-
tire line was viewed by an anxious
throng of men. women and children,
and babies even, and not soul would
leave till they had seen the parade,
though the rain came down in torrents.
1t was said to be the grandest parade
st. Louis ever saw, both as to number
and enthusiasm. 1t was the largest
inc of old soldiers seen since the grand
parade at Washington, D. c., at the
close of the war. 1t is not probable
there will be such one again.
All the Posts of the city have done
nobly in trying to make the stay of the
g. A. r. boys as pleasant in the city
rs possible. Ransom Post spread a
lunch three times a day, and probably
had from 5000 to 10000 people-G. A.
r. boys. their wives, mothers and
daughters and friends. Ransom Post
will be remembered tor her wonderful
provision for the comfort of the G. A.
r. boys. California q. A. r. brought
abont forty tons of choice fruits which
they exhibited and then gave away.
The sight was simply astounding. We
canuot do justice to this wonderful
gathering in st. Louis of the G.. A. r.
1t is to be hoped As this army of vet
Grams pass away, as they are doing
that there will he no further use for
war and bloodshed in our broad and
happy country. We should now all
try to bring the people and the nations
to Christ and then war will be no more.
st. Louis, Sept. %. 1887.